Atlanta Police Sued By Eagle Patrons

Lambda Legal is representing 19 individuals in a lawsuit over the police raid on the Atlanta Eagle. From an interview in OnTop Magazine, Greg Nevins, supervising senior staff attorney in Lambda Legal's Southern Regional Office made this statement:

“The illegal activity going on in the Atlanta Eagle that night was committed by the APD (Atlanta Police Department).... If it is APD procedure for elderly men and wounded veterans to be thrown to the floor and harassed simply for being in a bar having a drink after work, then the APD should change its procedure."

During the raid, no one was allowed to leave the building and police forced 62 patrons to lay prone on the floor while they collected IDs. Anyone questioning their activity was told, “Don't speak until spoken to” or “Shut up.”

Maybe the patrons of the Rainbow Lounge should take note? The Fort Worth Police and TABC have clearly covered up their tracks with their lame investigations that found no wrongdoing, yet one of the men they detained was sent to the hospital with a brain injury. Where is the outrage?

An Ocean On Mars?

Last night my partner and I were looking at Google Mars. It's a wonderful program developed from the photographs taken by several Mars probes and includes details I had never seen before. We were postulating the features that are obviously due to erosion.

Today, I find this article which states that Mars once had a great ocean in its northern hemisphere and was a damp and rainy place. Pretty cool stuff. Especially when you consider how similar Mars and Earth are and that leads to the obvious question, was there life on Mars?

Hummm? Damp rainy, oceans, most likely a richer atmosphere? I suspect it is only a matter of time before we find the first Martian fossils.

I hope I am around to see that. I can only wonder how it will affect the theology of folks who cannot envision a God big enough for life on other worlds. Should be some interesting crises of faith.

Anti Gay Hate Crimes Rise Alarmingly

The latest report from the FBI shows that hate crimes against LGBT people are rising at a rate of nearly 11%. That is reason for alarm.

The statistics are a bit dusty, since these were from 2008, but I guess it takes time for law enforcement officials from around the country to compile them. Of the 1706 people who were targets of sexual orientation hate crimes here is the breakdown according to the FBI:

57.5 % were victims of an offender’s anti-male homosexual bias.
27.3 % were victims because of an anti-homosexual bias.
11.6 % were victims because of an anti-female homosexual bias.
2.0 % were victims because of an anti-heterosexual bias.
1.6 % were victims because of an anti-bisexual bias.

The breakdown reflects a couple of strange things, first the general anti-homosexual category seems odd anbd the lact of "transgendered" as a category is also troubling. With the new Byrd/Shepard Hate Crimes Act in place I suspect the next compilation will include trangendered victims as well.

DADT Hearings On Hold - Indefinitely

Senator Carl Levin, who in October said that Don't Ask Don't Tell would be brought up at a Senate hearing in November has apparently decided it is not a wise move and has pulled it off the table.

In an article on the blog LezGetReal.com sources are quoted as saying the issue will most likely be tucked into next years DOD appropriations bill. This confirms what Barney Frank intimated in an Advocate magazine interview last week.

Once again the Democrats are delaying LGBT issues. I have to wonder if they really plan to do anything or just delay hoping we will forget? Here's the deal, we won't forget!

Airport Blogging

Stuck at the airport so I am bored. Only bright spot was watching a crowd of Palin fans "boo" her as she left a book signingbefore signing all their books. Small comfort!

Jon Stewart & Mick Foley On Protecting Gay Rights

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Virginia Foxx Rewrites History

The Republicans continue to try to rewrite history. If it wasn't bad enought that Fox News is using faked footage to imply broad support of the radical right agenda, now another Fox, this one in Congress is just plain telling big fat lies!

Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) told these whoppers:

"Actually, the GOP has been the leader in starting good environmental programs in this country.... Just as we were the people who passed the civil rights bills back in the ’60s without very much help from our colleagues across the aisle,”

Of course she forgets it was during the Kennedy/Johnson years that the Civil Rights Act was debated and passed. She also forgets that a good portion of southern Democrats might as well have been Republicans since they were about as ultra-conservative.

Fox and Foxx are full of crap, but that's just my opinion!

Fox Claims Disciplinary Action For Fake Footage Of Palin

In the category of "I'll believe it when I see it", Fox has said they will discipline the people responsible for the fake footage of alleged crowds at a Sarah Palin book signing. The actual footage was of a campaign rally last year.

This follows their other false footage from the anti-health care reform on Sean Hannity's show where they actually showed footage from the "teabagger" rally months previously. Fox seem unable to live in the real world, and like the GOP they continue to create their own reality. The problem is now the FCC may get involved for them disseminating false information.

Fox News Fakes More Footage!

Fox News, or as I call it the "all GOP Channel", has been fudging their footage again. This time in support of their favorite celebrity, Sarah Palin. Afternoon host Gregg Jarrett breathlessly spoke of the huge crowds Palin is drawing at her book signings and the showed footage of her behind a teleprompter waving at the crowd, holding McCain for President signs? Oh come now!

How stupid do you think the average Fox viewer is? Never mind that rhetorical question!

Palin Gets On My Nerves

Will someone call Sarah Palin and tell her that her 15 minutes of fame are up!

Her fiction filled book seems to be everywhere, yet I have met no one but pundits and fact checkers who have read it. She is all over television and frankly, she gives me a headache.

Her fake folksiness act no longer works and though she is an easy target for Tina Fey, I just wish she would go away.

Presidential material? Nobody in the GOP seriously thinks so unless they just want to put a smartly dressed air head in the White House....oh wait, they already did that with George W!

Water on the Moon!

Water on the MOON! Now that is big news.

The recent NASA mission that bombarded the lunar surface generated a plume including a significant amount of water vapor. This means our vision of the moon being a cold dry place is wrong and it could have implications for further exploration and for the search for life on other worlds as well.

Coney Island Redux

Last month, my partner and I paid a cold rainy visit to Coney Island to make a pilgrimage to Gargiulio's restaurant. It's a tradition for me to have a great Italian dinner at one of Coney Island's landmarks. The other landmarks are dwindling. Astroland, though never a great amusement park was still a remnant of what Coney Island used to be, is long gone. Luna Park and Steeplechase are dim memories for only the older crowd, and the last remnants of Coney are the Cyclone roller coaster, Wonderwheel Park and the Sideshow by the Seashore.

Today the city gave the aging fun-zone new hope. New York announced a 12.5 acre amusement park and major revival projects for the boardwalk and entertainment areas surrounding it. Read more here on Huffington Post.

GOP Funds Abortions

No really! Their health insurance program for the Republican National Committee actually pays for abortions. The hypocritical votes of Republicans forcing a "no publicly funded abortions" clause in the health insurance reform is amazingly cynical.

Of course I should have expected no less.

Lou Dobbs - Buh Bye!

Tonight Lou Dobbs leaves CNN. I suspect in a few days he will show up on FOX. His once semi-coherent voice has become a shrill call for the right as he rants about illegal aliens and other far right diatribes.

Perhaps he will be happier somewhere else?

Veteran's Day

I always try to spend a few moments in meditation remembering the veterans who have gone to war in the name of our freedom. Though I have often disagreed with the government as to the need for the wars they wage, I never have lost respect for the men and women who fight them.

I also spend a little time praying for peace. I pray for a day when nations work out their problems at a negotiating table and not a battlefield. Want to get involved? Check out the Dallas Peace House.

AIG CEO Feels Restricted By Government Pay Czar

Spending the first two weeks on the job telecommuting from his villa on the Adriatic Sea where he oversees wine production in his vineyard, Robert Benmosche feels pinched. Apparently he resents government oversight of the company the US Taxpayers now own and wants more "freedom" to dole out bonuses to his execs.

My heart bleeds for him!

Mayan Calendars & UFOs

As the opening day of the new disaster movie 2012 nears, the internet is abuzz with pseudo-science! Talk of the end of the world abounds and yet it is nothing new. Back in 1844 a guy named William Miller claimed that Jesus was coming back and he knew the exact date. October 22, 1844!

Thousands of his wide eyed followers gathered for the second coming and waited with breathless anticipation. The next morning brought disappointment, yet Miller continued to wait for Jesus until his death several years later. That event "the great disappointment" actually gave birth to the Adventist movement and eventually the 7th Day Adventist Church.

Maybe a new church will form in 2013?

The Mayan calendar is segmented into cycles and one does end in 2012, but another begins immediately following that.

Other crackpots claim a planetary alignment will throw the earth off kilter or some such crap. According to NASA, don't hold your breath. Once again it's a load of hooey, but this time it's being exploited for profit by writers and movie makers instead of religious zealots.

So have fun at the movie and sleep well knowing that we have a much better chance of destroying ourselved with our weapons and carbon emissions than we do of an apocalypse in 2012.

Don't Ask, Don't Give

Interesting tactic launched by the folks at AmericaBlog and one that might get the attention of the White House. The Gay-TM is officially turned off until the President and his people begin prodding Congress to do the right thing and repeal DOMA, DADT and pass ENDA! So many acronyms!

Here is the petition.

Far Right Forms New Party In Florida

Conservatives have circled the wagons in Florida and are engaged in a circular firing squad. Not content with Charlie Crist who many of the right wing-nuts consider too liberal they have formed a new political party. The Tea Party!

This is pretty good news for progressives. If the GOP splits into right wing and further right wing, their power will be even further limited than it is now. My hope is that this kind of schism will relegate the Republicans and their ilk to a minor Southern party with little actual power. Now if we can only get the Democrats to understand how powerful their position is and start behaving like the majority party!

Joe Leiberman Still In The Pocket Of Health Insurance

How to put this tactfully? Sen. Joe Lieberman is a dick. yup that just about sums it up as kindly as I can put it. He has sworn to kill the health care bill so long as there is any chance of reasonable and affordable insurance for all Americans. He still clings to the delusion that private companies do it better.

Well, Joe, go take your Ayn Rand books and invisible hand of the market and stuff it. You know very well the insurance companies will do everything they can to gouge American's however and whenever they can. Just try jumping through the hoops to get any kind of procedure approved... oh that's right, you have GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE!

What a piece of work you are!

Fundamentalists Stone Adulterer

Ah the delights of fundamentalism!

In Somalia, the country without a government, or at least one that works, a crowd of fundamentalists stoned an adulterer to death. The woman he impregnated will be killed once she has her baby. I guess "life is sacred" to these Muslim fundamentalists. In truth, these might as well be Christian fundamentalists. If they really believe the Bible is inerrant, there should be more stoning and public executions. (Deut. 22:22)

The whole fundamentalist problem is an inability to do critical thinking and a willingness to consider anything written as truth. So for the fundamentalists reading this, it is written:

"Thou shalt not inflict thine own ignorance upon others."

Jon Stewart Does A Killer Glenn Beck Impression!

The 11/3 Project

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The Truth About Health Insurance

Stupid Torture Gadget - As Seen On TV!

It's no secret that I am kinky, but even I have to wonder at the genius of this product. It forces the wearer to be humiliated but to perform an uncomfortable exercise that borders on torture. And to think I try to come up with SM ideas when there are things like this being sold on QVC!

Democrat Wins NY Seat Held For 150 Years By GOP

While some pundits are making hay with the GOP wins in New Jersey and Virginia gubinatorial races, the New York District that has been staunchly Republican for 150 years elected a Democrat to the US House. The race, breathlessly watched by conservatives because of it's ultra right wing candidate, Doug Hoffman, was won by Democrat Bill Owens. There were two conservatives running, one moderate and the other far right and their campaigns effectively split the vote to give Owens the win.

So while a couple of governors are now Republican, the US House gains another Democrat. Sounds like a toss up to me, and far from some kind of plebicite on President Obama as some media mavins would have you believe.

Maine Marriage Fails By Thin Margin

Score another win for bigotry and the Mormon and Catholic Church! Voters in Maine rejected the Same-Sex Marriage law spurred on by church funded campaigns. The margin of victory was very thin, but enough for a defeat, making Maine the second state to take away rights from LGBT people.

If there was any positive spin to be had it was that the margins were razor thin, roughly 51.8% to 48.2%

Ohio Rapist May Be Murderer - Met Victims Online!

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Real Free Credit Report! The FTC Flexes Its Creative Muscles

Those ads with the singing slackers whose credit got screwed up have always seemed a bit strange to me. I checked out the alleged "free" report and the catch is that you have to sign up for a paid service to get the "free" report.

Now the FTC, which apparently has finally woken from it's Bush Era induced slumber has taken steps to fight back. You see, an annual credit report has been free for some time. Now they are staging their own commercials to promote the real free service and debunk the fake ones. Enjoy!

"This Is It" Really Is!

I just got back from seeing Michael Jackson's "This Is It" and I am exhausted. What an emotional rollercoaster of a film. The music and dancing, even though it was rehersal was thrilling. The concert, if it had come to fruition would have been legendary. That was part of the emotional rollercoaster. The great genius of Jackson and his crew shines through and though I was exhillirated by the performances, I was sadded=ned to know it would never be seen on stage...had it not been for this film.

I first though they made the film just to recoup some of the money the producers of the concert lost when Jackson died, but after seeing it, I get the feeling they felt an obligation. An oblgation to Jackson and his art that this concert highlighted. The special effects were amazig just in the rehersal, I can't imagine what they would have been like on stage in London.

Not to spiol things but Jackson's entrance in the newly revitalized Thriller as he crawled out of a giant mechanical spider was genius. There is that word again!

If you get a chance to see this film, don't pss it up. It really is "It"!

Senate Adds $50 Million For "Abstenince Only" Sex Education

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

That bumper sticker wisdom is something I hear in 12 step meetings and though it has been overused, it is true. Pity the Senate never heard it!

Yes the Senate...same group who brought you a watered down health care reform bill has approved a little known amendment by Orin Hatch (Utah Republican). This little gem reinstates $50 million in funding for "abstinence only" sex education.

Let me repeat, $50 million in funding for "abstinence only" sex education!

Study after study shows that this approach is discredited and ineffective. In fact under this kind of alleged sex education pregnancy rates increase! So how crazy is that?

Well when you are lobbied by a big time Washington firm funded by a pro-life catholic millionaire, I guess it makes sense. After all, Washington is bought and sold by lobby firms so why should the health of our kids be any roadblock to a personal agenda of a rich guy?

Write and call and visit your Senator and/or Representative and tell them to stop the insanity.

Obama Signs Hate Crimes Bill!

Piano Playing Cat - Mindless Video For Wednesday

I love cats and I play the piano...so enjoy this clip from YouTube!

The GAP Goes Anorexic

Walking by the GAP this morning I saw their visual merchandise people putting up a new window display. This isn't anything unusual since they change these displays about every month, but the image today was startling. There was a larger than life photo of what I assume was a woman wearing ultra tight jeans and a bare midriff top. Her face looked normal enough but her body was impossibly thin.

Like Calvin Klein, the GAP has decided to Photoshop inches off their models to make them look like Auschwitz survivors. If this woman is really as thin as she appears in the photo, she would be too frail to stand, and her face is bigger than her waist!

I understand fashion marketing. Clothes that are designed impossibly thin on paper, look better on tall thin models. The problem is, these artificially reduced bodies hold up impossible ideals for people. Worse still, the whole "skinny look" looks good on only a tiny fraction of men and women, on the rest it just looks ludicrous.

American's as a whole are overweight, and I am no exception, but to design clothes for only emaciated bulimics is silly. I guess the fashion industry is so drunk on their own Kool-Aid that they forget what actually looks good on the street.

How long will it be until the GAP has to fess up to it's deceptive window display and apologize like Ralph Lauren. Of course he did fire the model he Photoshopped for being too fat. She was a size 4!

Glenn Beck Video Parody

Glenn Beck Is A Nazi - watch more funny videos

Repeal Of DADT On Agenda For November!

The wheels of the Gods grind exceedingly slow...but it looks like the Senate Armed Services Committee will take up the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell in November". A spokeswoman for committee chairman Carl Levin confirmed this to CNN on Friday. Maybe this will be the beginnings of real change?

New Site Tells Story Of Atlanta Eagle Raid

"On September 10, 2009, a SWAT-team of Atlanta police officers detained and searched over 60 people without a warrant, probable cause, or even reasonable suspicion of any criminal activity, just because they were patrons at a gay bar called the Atlanta Eagle."

Thus begins the web site put online to educate the LGBT public about the raid on the Atlanta Eagle. Check it out and get angry...with the authorities and the police!

Microsoft Launches Retail Store - Apple Store Knock-off?

Remember when Microsoft mimicked the Macintosh Graphical User Interface and called it Windows? Well now they have knocked-off the Apple Store and called it the Microsoft Store. Window dressing!

The new store opened in Arizona to much brouhaha from Microsoft and immediately underwhelmed patrons. The new store was even had a former Apple Store designer on the team.

As Windows 7 makes it emergence, allegedly a product that will "fix" all the problems of Windows Vista, a product that was supposed to "enhance" the features of XP, the new store marks Microsoft's first move into the retail world. Let's hope the next version of the store is something original and not just a parody of the real deal at Apple.

I wonder if they will shut down at random times and completely rearrange the store eliminating popular products and changing the names of others?

Hate Crimes Bill Finally Passes And Includes LGBT Protections!

Attached to a defense appropriation bill, the Matthew Shepard-James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act is finally law or at least will be when President Obama signs it today.

This long awaited step toward full rights and protections for all people has languished in Congress for far too long. The bill includes race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity! It was finally attached to a must-pass defense spending bill as a tactic to push it through. Though it has nothing to do with defense, this tactic is a common one to get bills passed.

Of course the far-right is pissed. They are claiming it will stifle freedom of religion? really? The law only covers actions not speech, so unless your religion is one that actively participates in hate crimes you've got nothing to worry about. That might make some folks nervous who are militant white supremacists or neo-nazis but for everyone else it's not going to affect us.

What it will do is make hate crimes easie to prosecute at a federal level and that is a good thing.

GOP Tries Lying Again, This Time On Twitter!

So the GOP is not content to be a marginalized party of racists and hate mongers, now they are trying to defraud the American public by creating fake accounts on Twitter and masquerading as pissed off Democrats. Twitter caught wind of the scam and shut them down.

33 fake accounts created by Connecticut Republicans meant to impersonate Democratic state representatives have been pulled from the micro-blogging site. Now I guess the GOP will have to try to impersonate real public servants or maybe just get more in step with America as a whole and stop acting like spoiled kids on the playground.

I doubt it!

Sen. Dan Inouye Favors Rape!

Yes, now a Democrat has moved toward the Pro Rape camp and seems to be wanting to remove the Franken amendment from the Defense Appropriation Bill. That is the amendment that would alloy victims of "gang Rape" to sue their employers when they were raped on the job. Specifically it's about Halliburton, no surprise there.

Seems Senator Inouye has been getting pounded by defense lobbyists who are trying to convince him that allowing employees who were raped on the job to sue would hurt their contracts. Good, they should provide adiquate security to insure that doesn't happen. Every other company in America would be liable for that kind of thing, but because Halliburton is a defense contractor they get a pass to put a "don't sue us" clause in their contract for employees.

So, I encourage you to write the Senator from Hawaii about this or call his office and encourage him to defend American's right to a safe workplace and vote for the Franken Amendment.

Pat Robertson Thinks Gays Want To Destroy Marriage...And Other Fantasies

Sometimes Pat Robertson can be downright funny, but most of the time he is annoying and occasionally infuriating. After watching this clip, I am not sure whether to be mad or laugh. Pat on his hour of propaganda, the 700 Club has determined that gays are not out to gain equal rights such as marriage, but to destroy marriage completely.

News Alert for Pat: Heterosexuals have done a pretty good job of that already! Want to save marriage, outlaw divorce! Yeah right.

Watch this clip and let me know whether you laughed or threw a brick at your computer.

South Pacific On Broadway - What A Show!

Last week my partner and I spent a few days in New York City after the National Equality March. We were lucky to get tickets for the revival of South Pacific, the Rogers and Hammerstein classic about love, war and racial prejudice set on a military base.

The venue of the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center is an amazing place to see this big a production. The theater is a thrust stage with seating on three sides, more suited to intimate plays than big musicals, yet this production uses hat intimacy to its advantage.

Actors who might normally play their roles more broadly on a big theater stage can lend more subtle touches in the Beaumont and it works well in this show. The orchestra, a big ensemble for such a small venue was lush and forceful without overwhelming the action on the stage.

For me Paulo Szot in the role of Emile de Becque was a revelation. I had always associated the role with Rossano Brazzi in the 1950s movie of the show, but Szot gives de Becque character real depth. His singing brought me to tears along with much of the audience. What a telant!

Kelli O'Hara as Nelly Forbush is spot on with her accent, so much that my partner thought she was actually from Arkansas. An this girl can sing!

Finally, Danny Burstein was a real audience favorite as Luther Billis. The Billis character has several great songs, and a real chance to show the actors comic talents in the "Honey Bun" drag number.

This South Pacific is timeless, and if you get a chance to see it, don't pass it up.

Pope Recruits Homophobic Anglicans

In a direct response to the inclusion of LGBT people in the Anglican church, the Pope has made it easier for Anglicans to convert to Catholicism. According to a New York Times article:

Pope Benedict XVI approved a new church provision that will allow Anglicans to join the Catholic Church while maintaining many of their distinctive spiritual and liturgical traditions, including having married priests.

His invite is designed to gather the homophobic members of the Anglican church who have broken away from the Episcopal Church in America after the ordination of openly gay priests and Bishop Gene Robinson.

So much for God's grace, love and inclusion in the Catholic Church!

Frail & Emaciated - The Latest Fashion?

By the look of the runway models at the recent Fashion Week in New York you would have thought the country was suffering from Cholera. The frail and sickly looking twigs that pass for models border on the disgusting. Ralph Lauren even recently retouched a photo to make his model look even thinner!

At a time when Americans are larger than ever, designers are making clothes for people suffering from starvation. Come on guys, I know you really hate the women you design for but please don't try to kill them!

Is FOX Real News? Is Pro-Wrestling Real?

Finally the administration is telling the truth and it's high time the media listened. Here is the deal:

FOX News is simply a propaganda arm of the Republican Party.

There are no "ifs", "ands" or "buts" about this and anyone who hase even half paid attention knows this. Now, it's time the real media stopped taking their lead from FOX and started doing their job. Reporting the news.

Listen to NPR some day or the BBC and you will hear real news. They have no agenda, they try to be objective and they spend time investigation stories instead of just reading press releases or having alleged news shows which feature talking heads spouting party lines.

I am so friggin' tired of a reporter simply saying "he said - she said" instead of finding the facts behind the talking oints I want to scream. Some pundit saying "blah-blah" is not news, it is one man's opinion and nothing more. Try actually finding the facts and when anyone, including politicians of eaither party lie, call them on it! For God's sake that is one reason why we have freedom of the press, so start exercising it!

Oh yea, and Pro Wrestling? Well it's a wonderful athletic display of strength and tumbling abilities but a real contest? Please. Years ago during the heydays of World Class Championship Wrestling at the Sportatorium in Dallas, I used to run a ringside camera for the television feed. The director always knew when to call for us to get a shot of an "unexpected" move. Nuff said.

Balloon Boy - Or Not!

I go out of town for a few days and don't watch TV and what do I miss? BALLOON BOY!

I caught a glimpse of it in J&R Music World in New York. For the uninitiated, J&R is a temple to anything electronic. A block long complex of stores that have everything imaginable that needs batteries or plugs into the wall.

Well, while waiting for a clerk at J&R I saw an image on the wall-sized Plasma TV that looked a lot like a stunt my partner and I tried several years ago. We constructed a bunch of balloons with glow sticks attached to release in the dark hoping to spark a little talk-radio buzz about UFOs. We got nada! Not a peep by anyone even though the ascending glows looked pretty cool.

Well here was a monster sized version, except some guy actually made a Mylar flying saucer balloon and the press was all over it. Not as a UFO but because somebody somewhere said a kid was in it. For hours the 24 hour news junkies followed pictures of the obviously unmanned or un-kidded balloon drifted aimlessly over Colorado.

Meanwhile lots of "real" news was happening but oh noooo, we had to watch endless pictures of a flimsy Mylar balloon and hear announcers ramble ad nauseam about how they really didn't know anything about it.

Turns out there was no kid on board and now the Sheriff is trying to drum up charges because he is so embarrassed he was wasting time following a damned balloon.

Ain't TV grand!

Another Reason Our Health Care System SUCKS

Pilgrimage To The Smithsonian

OK, I admit it, I am sooooo gay! We spent our last day in Washington at the Museum of American History, home of the original Ruby Slippers worn by Judy G in the Wizard of Oz. OK it's just a pair of shoes, but still I had to see them again. They look a bit dingy, but still have a sparkle left in them.

We also visited Julia Childs' Kitchen, preserved in its entirety in the Smithsonian. They even had a tape of Julia trussing up a chicken running from her TV show. Damn, that woman used a lot of butter!

After a late lunch we made our way to the Holicost Museum. Any elation I had from seeing the Ruby Slippers vanished there. It's a wonderful museum, but it is well designed to have an overwhelming effect on visitors.

The heavy iron truss work that surrounds you and the slow descent through the madness of Nazi Germany to the final rooms with an actual box car used to transport Jews, Gays and Gypsies to the camps was very effective.

The room that got to me was one filled with shoes. Shoes confiscated from prisoner prior to their gassing and cremation. These are the actual shoes gathered from one of the camps and seeing all of them piled knee-high as you walk a path through them was intense. Each pair spoke of the owner and their absence.

If you miss this museum on a visit to Washington, you are short changing yourself.

Tomorrow, riding the Acella Train to New York City!

And Now The Money Shot From The Oozenator!

This is a real kids toy that looks like a behind-the-scenes tool for porn producers. Go figure!

A Few More Photos of The Equality March in DC

Thousands of LGBT People March On Washington - Where Is Barney Frank?

He's off to the west coast to raise funds to Democrats. His opinion of the march, "Barack Obama does not need pressure." Commenting on Michelangelo Signoreli's radio program Frank says we should model ourselves as lobbyists on "the National Rifle Association." He says people should not come to Washington and should stay home and lobby their members of Congress.

Well Senator Frank, they should do both! If you and other members of Congress won't change the unequal system we have now, someone else will. I would not be surprised if Barney Frank loses his seat in the next election if full equality is not given to all citizens of America. I guess he has his, so screw the rest of us.

Sorry for the editorial comment, but lets get real. Incremental appeasement is only creating an apartheid in America. Imagine if the Civil Rights bill had been as "measured" an approach as our GLBT politicians are advocating?

And for Frank, who says most of Washington didn't even know about the march. Here is a photo of just a few Americans who are denied their rights, or did you forget who we were?

(Photos copyright Hardy Haberman 2009)

Equality March Draws Thousands

It was a big turnout for the National Equality March. I would estimate close to 200,000 or more.
Wonderful weather for the march and lots of news media, and that is what we hoped for!


I was tired but really happy when Patrick snapped this shot. I was glad the march had reached its destination.

Obama Says He Will End DADT

President Obama did what no sitting president has done before last night. He spoke to the Human Rights Campaign at their annual dinner. Though there were protesters gather outside, the scene inside was much more cordial.

He opened with a joke, saying, "It's a privilege to open tonight for Lady Gaga" the iconic singer who performed later in the evening. Then he got down to his speech.

Obama made a bold promise, "I will end 'don't ask-don't tell." The same words he spoke during his campaign. Then he acknowledged the he understood the impatience felt by the LGBT community but he assured the crowd of about 3000, "do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."

Now my only question is, when? Thirty years ago I came to this same city and marched for gay rights. and here I am still marching 30 years later. I am not going to live my entire life without seeing equal rights!

So Mr. President, had I had a micerophone to ask questions during your speech I would have thanked you for your show of support and then encouraged you to take action and use the bully pulpit to move Congress forward to real equality for LGBT people.

Washington, DC - City Of No

When I was a child, my family took me to Washington, DC to see where the sausage was made. They didn't call it that, they used terms like "how our government works", but you get the idea.

Back then it seemed every street had a "No Left Turn" sign at the corner and my father began calling DC the "city of no". Well, here it is fifty years later and it's still true. I had to laugh at every corner because of thre number of "no" signs.

Some things never change.

In Washington, DC.

After an uneventful flight and a short train ride from Baltimore, we are in DC. The low light of the trip so far was the amazingly lack luster service at American Airlines ticket counter. Other than a half hour wait to speak to a ticket agent who was on the phone for that entire half hour, it was OK.

We arrived in Washington Union Station and had a tasty lunch at Pizzeria Uno and cabbed to the hotel. So far I highly recommend the Hotel Lombardy in Washington. Charming small boutique hotel just a couple of blocks from the White House and right off two Metro stops. Reminds me of some of the nicer hotels we stayed at in Europe.

Lots of LGBT people starting to be visible on the streets and particularly at Union Station. I suspect by tomorrow night the city will be bursting at the seams with queers! Yeah!.

Off To Washington!

I am leaving for Washington DC in the morning. My partner and I will be attending the March and various activities while there. I will be posting to my blog here and to the Dallas Voice blog with reports from the March and the events in DC. Hope to have pictures and more soon. See you ALL there!

Republican Senators Vote In Favor Of Covering Up Rape

I have often spoken about "family values" in this blog, usually in the context of the Republican lawmakers who seem to have none of them. Now I offer further proof that a big portion of the GOP is not only against"family values" but pro-rape. What?

Yup, just look at who voted against a recent amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill by Senator Al Franken that would punish contractors if they "restrict their employees from taking workplace sexual assault, battery and discrimination cases to court."

Who would be against that? Well Huffington Post has a list.

Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)

Every one of these guys thinks it fine if a big company covers up a rape of one of its employees. Just to make it clear, they all feel business is more important that the safety of employees, even if they are sexually assaulted.

Now that's "family values" but only a "Crime Family". But hey, they are Republicans?

Larry Wilmore Plays The Race Card on The Daily Show

So it was a funny bit, but even better Larry Wilmore did some nice slight of hand on the Daily Show last night. Two of my favorite things, magic and political commentary, great work Larry.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Playing the Race Card
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Brand America - Number One!

It seems like forever since the USA was considered a respected member of the international community. Today comes the report that our brand, the USA, is the most admired country in the world.

According to the National Brand Index (NBI), the US rose from #7 to the top spot. From a report on Reuters:

The United States is the most admired country globally thanks largely to the star power of President Barack Obama and his administration, according to a new poll.

It climbed from seventh place last year, ahead of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan which completed the top five nations in the Nation Brand Index (NBI). “What’s really remarkable is that in all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States for 2009,” said Simon Anholt, the founder of NBI, which measured the global image of 50 countries each year.

Glenn Beck Loses More Sponsors!

Even more companies have decided to distance themselves from Glenn Beck, the poster child for the right wing lunatic fringe.

The total of advertisers who have walked away from Beck's show is now 80 and growing. Internationally his sponsor base is slipping as well. Think Progress poster these responses that were originally posted on Color of Change's website about Beck and his hate filled show.

“We are appalled at what’s going on. Metropolitan Talent Management is 100% dedicated to not buy advertising on any part of Fox News.” — Metropolitan Talent Management

– “We’re no longer going to book any of his air time. I’m really glad to be informed of what you guys are doing.” — Overture Films

– “The Seoul government has no plan to extend, resume, or add its commercial on the program. In other word [sic], there will not be Seoul commercial in the Glenn Beck program any more.” — Seoul Metropolitan Government

– “You will not see Flexitol commercials on the Glenn Beck show. Period.” — Eulactol USA, makers of Flexitol

Another Reason to March On Washington - DADT

As I get ready to travel to Washington D.C. for the National Equality March, I find another reason to go and to be vocal when I get there. When Senator Harry Reid sought President Obama's help in repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell he got this response:

"The President appreciates the Majority Leader's letter and looks forward to working with him and other members of Congress as they move towards a legislative repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

So, if anyone reading this can go, get your butts to Washington and let the President and Congress know there are thousands of LGBT people in this country who are second class citizens and demand full rights!

Depression, Psychosis - Go to the Emergency Room , The GOP Health Plan!

It's Official - Florida Hates Gays!

That is the message sent by a court ruling in a Dade County Federal Court when it threw out a lawsuit by the partner of a lesbian who was dying in the hospital. Her partner of 17 years was denied the right to visit her as she died.

To add insult to injury she was told by a social worker at the hospital "Florida is an anti-gay state".

To be fair this is a Federal Court and therefore it highlights just how LGBT people in this country are denied the same rights as anyone else. Read more about the case here.

Send Max Baucus Your Health Care Bills!

Watching Stephen Colbert and he had a GREAT idea. Max Baucus stated clearly he wanted a health care bill, yet he ditched a public option. Colbert's idea? Send Baucus your health care bills.

His address is here.

He and the other lame guys in Washington need a dose of reality. How about a truck load of medical bills. Heck they can afford it, hey get millions from insurance companies!

Dems Cave On Public Option

OK, let's just get this out in the open. Democratic Senators and House Members are PUSSIES!

They have a super-majority and the American public wants a public option, so what do they do? Strip it out of the health care bill.

What would you call that? Pussies for sure!

Right Wing Confrence Calls For Violent Revolution

Say what? Yup, pretty much the story. The "How To Take Back America Conference" featured a speaker who advocated a citizen's arms buildup in preparation for a violent confrontation with the government.

Kitty Werthmann led a workshop called “How to recognize living under Nazis & Communists.” During the strange lecture she advocated the following:

If we had our guns, we would have fought a bloody battle. So, keep your guns, and buy more guns, and buy ammunition. [...] Take back America. Don’t let them take the country into Socialism. And I refer again, Hitler’s party was National Socialism. [...] And that’s what we are having here right now, which is bordering on Marxism.

Excuse me but I could have sworn National Socialism was about "National Identity" run amok. Hitler wanted an ethnically pure master race. Funny, the current government advocates diversity and inclusion. Is this crazy lady not sure she is talking about her own ideals?

She also forgets that the Nazis and the Marxists were about as polar opposite in their political beliefs as can be but hey, why let facts get in the way?

Vandals Destroy Gay Soldier Billboard

A billboard promoting National Coming Out Day in Memphis was vandalized and ripped to shreds according to news reports. The billboard pictured a marine and said, "I'm gay and I protected your freedom"

Funny how the right wingnuts always talk about how much respect they have for our troops in uniform and yet can find it in their puny philosophy an excuse to deface a picture of one of those same troops. These are the same people who were livid that anyone could criticize the President during a time of war, that is as long as the president was white and Republican. Now they deface billboards with pictures of marines and join in Facebook polls with topics like, "should Obama be killed?"

Enough of their crap! it's time we treated them just like any other criminal. Vandals should go to jail and people who make threats against the President should be arrested. Where is the outrage? Right here!

Good Morning!

Just once I want to wake up and feel like this!

Great New Ad parody

Will Ferrel On Health Isurance Reform

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Anti Gay Marriage Forces In Maine Lying Again!

Surprise, surprise! The anti-gay Catholic Church funded groups in Maine are lying again. I guess that 10 commandments thing only applies when you want it to. They are claiming that schools would be required to teach about same-sex marriage in their curriculum. The truth is it's not an issue.

Glad to see a local TV station telling why their ad is false!

Arizona Steals Benefits from LGBT Couples

The leatherfaced governor of Arizona signed a bill that steals the benefits that had been available to LGBT couples who are state employees. Jan Brewer signed the bill in the name of cost savings. I wonder how cutting benefits to straight couples as a cost saving measure would go over.

Can you say "bitch"?

Lingerie Football! Sign Of The End Times?

Just when I thought I had seen every cheesy exploitation trick in the book along comes Lingerie Football! Yup, you heard me, Lingerie Football, and no it isn't a bunch of guys in camisoles. This is a team of buff, tanned, fitness model women in sports bras and trunks with garters and a few other frillies and football pads. Silly, oh heck yes.

Now do I think this is degrading to women? Pretty much as degrading as it is to the men who watch it. You see I have watched men looking at these kinds of "tease" gimmicks and it's really hard to tell who is being used. Yes the pretty girls are being objectified and quite frankly made to look ridiculous, but the men watching might as well be drooling. Both the watcher and watched get an equal dose of degradation.

So, though society hasn't come to an end, I have to wonder if this isn't a sign of the end times.

So to my feminist friends, get your pens out and start writing letters and to my straight make friends, here is the link. Oh, and to my lesbian buddies, that same link will work for you too.

Dallas Gay Pride Parade A Hit!

It was the largest crowd I can remember for this year's Alan Ross Freedom Parade, (aka, Dallas Gay Pride Parade). Cheering parade watchers lined Cedar Springs from the corner of Wycliff all the way to Turtle Creek and then up that street to Lee Park. Estimates put the crowd at 40,000+!

The thousands of p[eople included lots of LGBT Dallasites as well as a whole lot of straight folks and families. It was really nice to see so many people enjoying the event. Only 5 protesters stood at the corner of Hall and Turtle Creed shouting through bullhorns, but largely drowned out by cheering well-wishers.

Additionally, it was nice to see all but one City Council member riding in the parade as well as the Police Chief and Sheriff, who was one of the Grand Marshals. Luminaries were in abundance including activist Cleve Jones and author Larry Kramer.

Once again the weather was great, but muggy. That was the only challenge for those of us wearing leather.

Carrie Prejean Attempts Speech

Carrie Prejean, former Miss California and gay marriage hater, spoke to the Values Voters Summit today. I watched a tape of this speech and I have to wonder, how could anyone not fall asleep during it. She sounds like she is trying very hard to formulate every word. I had to wonder if her reading skills were impaired or she was just so used to answering pageant questions with a halting deliberate style that is supposed to look like you are thinking.

She is the best they could do? Boy the conservative movement is in such big trouble. First they rally round Sarah Palin, the brain dead former beauty queen and former governor of Alaska and now this air head. Why are there no brilliant women in the conservative movement? Guess they are too smart to buy the right wing crap.

Bill O'Reilly Back Public Option For Health Insurance

Once again I am taken aback! Now Bill O'Reilly is coming out in favor of a "public option" to private health insurance? OMG!

Insurance Company Gets Justice - Fined $10 Million For Revoking HIV+ Teens Insurance

It's about time we took a good long look at the health insurance companies in this country. I guess the South Carolina Supreme Court feels the same way. Today they ordered Assurant (formerly called Fortis) to pay $10 million for revoking the insurance policy of a 17-year-old college student after he tested positive for HIV.

This kind of behavior goes on all the time in the insurance world and it's high time it stopped. Health insurance companies are blood suckers who prey on healthy Americans and deny coverage to those who are sick. Pretty sweet business huh?

Imagine opening a casino where the only bets you could make were "long shots". That's the kind of odds these guys want. If there is a remote chance you are going to ever get sick, they will turn you down and if you do get sick while insured they will try every trick in the book to deny coverage.

Next time you hear one of those talk show liars saying we have the best health care system in the world, send them to this story and let them backpedal their way out of it. We need national health care NOW!

Baucus Is An Idiot And A Whore! (Metaphorically Speaking)

After getting seven figures from health insurance lobbyists, Max Baucus has trotted out his crappy bill and it stinks to high heaven. It is exactly what I was afraid of, a bill that mandates everyone must buy insurance and gives all that money to insurance companies. What a f*%king surprise?!?

This whole process is a huge gaff for the Senate and especially for Mas Baucus. He needs to toss this crap out and just propose a single payer government controlled system. It works in just about every other industrialized country, why not here? Well because we have a multi-billion dollar insurance cabal running Congress. Oy Vey!

Atlanta Police Raid Details Offer Troubling Allegations

The police department released the details of complaints filed against the Atlanta Police after the raid on the Eagle Bar. The specifics are troubling to say the least.

The similarities between this outrage and the raid on the Rainbow Lounge in Ft. Worth are stunning. It seems the police were having fun as they abused patrons and made them lie face down on the floor for up to an hour. Some say they were kicked in the ribs, and one offered this quote by police in his formal complaint:

"Then I heard laughing and giggling and saying this is more fun than raiding niggers with crack. They also told us to shut the fuck up unless we were spoken too [sic]."

Southern Voice has more.

OMG I Agree WIth The Grand Mufti!

What a week, first I agreed with George W about Sarah Palin's lack of experience and now I am on board with the Grand Mufti of Egypt.. Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa declared it was OK for women to wear trousers, but stretch pants were unacceptable. Boy isn't that the truth!

Now let me hear those complaints!

Max Baucus Is An Idiot

Strong headline? Yup, but true. Look at the facts. He spent weeks negotiating with Republicans and watering down a health care bill until it had no public option and just about everything the GOP wanted and they still won't sign on. Of course they won't, they are Republicans! Their mission is to keep things the same, thus the name conservatives.

Max Baucus is cowed by their antics and has let the GOP screw any chances of a meaningful health care bill and for what? NOTHING! The Democratic party has control of Congress yet they are afraid to act like it. If that isn't idiotic, I don't know what is.

Truth About Insurance Companies - The Real Death Panels

Video From The Million Moron March

After watching this video I understand Al Qaeda disbanded. They figured , "why bother?" The level of ignorance is astounding.

OMG! I Agree With George W. Bush?

In a new tell all book about the behind-the-scenes goings on in the Bush White House, former speech writer Matt Latimer details a quote from "W". He is speaking about Sarah Palin when he was told she was the VP choice for McCain.

"This woman is being put into a position she is not even remotely prepared for,” he said. “She hasn’t spent one day on the national level. Neither has her family. Let’s wait and see how she looks five days out.”

I couldn't agree more. Palin was the least competent choice McCain could have made and she might have lost him the election with any "thinking conservatives" and I use that term rarely.

Now It's The Catholics!

First it was the Mormons who funded the huge effort in California to defeat equal marriage rights for LGBT people, now it's the Catholics. The same church that brought your pedophile priests is pumping millions into Maine to throw the election against equality.

Anonymous Tip Prompted Atlanta Eagle Raid

OK, it is the semi official word that teh raid on the Atlanta Eagle was because of an anonymous tip to the Mayor's office. Funny that they would send 10 police cars and 15 officers for a single anonymous tip. So if this isn't harassment, then annonymous tips about straight bars should bring similar results.

Thanks to Dan Savage for postin the Atlanta Mayors address and email as well as a list of straight bars here.

Mayor Shirley Franklin
Tel: 404.330.6100
Fax: 404.658.6893
mayorfranklin@atlantaga.gov

Come on folks, the mayor of Atlant is standing by waiting for your tips!

Will DOMA Finally Be Repealed?

Next week, Democratic Reps. Jerrold Nadler (NY), Tammy Baldwin (WI), and Jared Polis (CO) will be introducing legislation to repeal DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act. The bill has just over 50 co-sponsors as it goes before the House.

Maybe the President will chime in since this was one of his campaign promises?

Police Raid Alanta Eagle Bar !

What the heck is the deal? Did the police departments across the country get a memo that said, "hey let's harass gay bars?" The latest outrage is the raid on the Atlanta Eagle where patrons were thrown to the floor and handcuffed for dancing.

Welcome back to 1969!

The Real Liars

Think Progress put this together and it's great. Joe Wilson and his party are the liars.

Eight Years Ago

I always get up early. It's a curse of mine since childhood. The good thing is I get to enjoy a nice cup of coffee and savor the early morning hours as the sun rises.

It was just such a moment 8 years ago as I was vacationing with friends in Michigan. I had joined a few folks who were also early risers and had just taken my first sip pf coffee when I overheard one of the busboys mention that they saw on the news that a plane had hit the World Trade Center.

I got up and walked to the resort's bar where the TV was tuned to the news. I got there just in time to see the second plane hit the towers. This was no accident and from that moment on it seemed that the whole world changed.

I know now that the world didn't change, only my perception of it did. Instead of living in my insular mundane life, I realized I was part of a tumultuous planet where numerous factions driven by a variety of grievances are constantly battling each other.

Though my country had often participated in these wars overseas, the action had not touched our shore in such a dramatic way as this. Now we were engaged in the world community fully, we were victims of the same kinds of attacks that were being carried out everywhere, except now we understood we could not separate ourselves from it.

We had domestic terrorists like McVay but they didn't seem as dangerous as the 9/11 perpetrators, even though they accomplished the same things. Sometimes it takes something dramatic to wake us up.

Since that tragic day we have added our own share to the blood shed for radical causes. We invaded a country that was not connected to the 9/11 plot simply because our leaders decided it was a good strategic move. They were wrong and so were the 9/11 hijackers. Their actions killed thousands of people who wanted nothing more than to get on with their daily lives.

I would never excuse the terrible actions of those madmen. Their hatred and passions drove them to do hideous things. In the long run their acts did not have the intended results. In the case of the 9/11 hijackers, they did not bring down our financial institutions, we had greedy investment bankers to do that. Our invasion of Iraq did not bring the blessings of democracy to the Middle East, the people in those countries will do that all by themselves and probably in a way that we might not like. Meanwhile, that invasion acted as a recruiting tool for Al Qaeda much like the attack on New York and the Pentagon acted as a recruitment tool for the armed forces.

Unintended consequences.

Now it's time to remember those people who died as a result. They were not heroes, just folks like you and me who suddenly found themselves on the world stage in their final moments. May their memories serve to end radical acts that cause such terrors and someday serve to remind us just how important each life is. I hope 9/11 will always be a wake up call, I just hope I don't need any more like it.

Buh Bye Michael Savage - Flagship Radio Station Drops The Jerk!

It was pretty plain that San Francisco based radio station 910am decided Michael Savage was not right for them. Here is their statement:

I'm going to answer the very first question many of you have.

"Why did you take Michael Savage off the air?"

Here's your no-spin direct answer; we have decided to go in a different philosophical and ideological direction, featuring more contemporary content and more local information.
The Savage Nation does not fit into that vision.

We're #37! In Health Care That Is.

Joe Wilson Deep In Debt - Opponents Cash In After Heckle

So ornery old Joe Wilson, Republican from South Carolina opened his mouth and put his foot squarely in it when he shouted at the President last night during Obama's address. President Obama was making the point hat the bills under consideration provide that no...let me emphasize NO illegal immigrants would be eligible for coverage. That is when Wilson shouted "you lie".

Anyone who has read the bills knows it is the truth, and Wilson, who has since given a lame appology either hadn't read the bill or is just a jerk. My bet is on both.

Meanwhile financial disclosures show Mr. Wilson is teetering on bankruptcy with debts exceeding his assets by a bunch. Seems he has a lot of loans from federal credit unions and banks.

Meanwhile his opponent, Rob Miller a democrat pulled in over $400,000 in new campaign contributions since last nights little outburst.

Thank you Mr. Wilson.

President Speaks on Health Care - GOP Heckles!

The President just delivered a great speech in support of Health Care Reform. The details were very strong and he was emphatic that he wanted a bill now. Embarrassingly for the GOP a couple of their members actually heckled the President from the floor.

Though the Democrats had good reason to deride President Bush, they never heckled the President during an address. The GOP has sunken to a new low and they deserve our scorn.

Particularly, Republican Joe Wilson who screamed "you lie" when the President assured the public that illegal immigrants would not be covered (denying illegals coverage is actually part of the bill). What an asshole!

The Democrats need to pass a bill without the GOP and to hell with them.

Republican Family Values Guy Caught On Tape Detailing Kinky Exploits

Talk about being in bed with lobbyists! California Assemblyman, Republican Michael D. Duvall, was caught on tape bragging about his kinky activities with a lobbyist. Now this is the same guy who ran on a "Family Values" ticket.

Had this happened on the phone or in private it would be even less of a scandal, but he laid this egg over a mic at the assembly and on tape!

"She wears little eye-patch underwear," said Duvall, who is married with two children. "So, the other day she came here with her underwear, Thursday. And
 so, we had made love Wednesday--a lot! And so she'll, she's all, 'I am going 
up and down the stairs, and you're dripping out of me!' So messy!"

OMG! The tape is here.

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Endorses Equality March

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has moved to endorse the National Equality March on October 11. One more reason you should attend!

In their press release they stated:

"The Task Force will be there at the march to support the voices of new activists, LGBT people and our allies who push and push for the end to hatred, discrimination and unjust laws..."

More here.

To March or Not To March?

From David Mixner about the National Equality March:

Many things have been written on whether one should march or not march on October 11 in Washington, DC. Let me make it easy for you.

Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?

Think very carefully about the above questions. Then make plans to come to Washington, DC on October 11th to march with thousands of your brothers, sisters and straight allies for freedom.

So, are you going? I'll be there and I hope to see you as well.

Health Care Reform? NO, Insurance Reform!

OK, enough of the Health Care Reform talk, the real issue is insurance reform and specifically Health Care Insurance reform. Finally, the President has started framing the issue as just that, but it has take way too long and it might be too late.

Alarmist? A bit. Allowing the right to frame this whole thing has been a big mistake. If this was spoken of a Insurance Reform form the get go there would not be the scores of misguided folks showing up at Town Halls chanting about "socialized medicine". They would be chanting, "Insurance reform NOW!"

Calling this whole debate Health Care Reform brings images of losing your doctor, changing the delivery system and even these weird "death panels" that just won't go away. Nobody wants to lose their health care if they have it, any of it. However, everyone has a gripe against the insurers. Why didn't Obama and the Democrats use that to frame their ideas? I guess George Lakoff didn't send them the memo.

And as far as Death Panels go...the real death panels already exist. They are the phone banks that the insurance companies run designed to minimize what health care you get and deny your claims whenever possible. That is how they boost the bottom line. Why isn't anyone talking about these "death panels"?

It's time we reclaimed this debate and moved forward with a solution. That means a big solution and not a mealy-mouthed-incremental-step-never-going-to-get-done piece of crap from Congress. Time to get tough Mr. President. After all that's why we elected you.

And while you are at it, what about all those promises to the LGBT community? I guess we will have to see you in Washington on October 11 about those.

John Barrowman's New Song - Tell My Father

I had no idea John sang. I have watched him in Torchwood for several seasons and though I found him immensely talented never knew of his musical career. This song, "Tell My Father" is a touching ballad dedicated to LGBT serviemen and women. Get out your handkefchiefs.

Come to Washington D.C. - Oct.11!